The best eating and drinking in Shanghai, all under one roof

On November 7 and 8, Shanghai foodies get their very own extravaganza: The Cuisine Festival, launched by World Events Agency, a trade show company based in China for 5 years. The show features an impressive list of Shanghai’s top restaurants and suppliers running from Bastiaan Bakery and Cantina Agave, through Exit Bar and Grand Hyatt, down to Sherpa’s and South Beauty—and everyone in between.

I recently chatted with festival directors Adrien Vicard (AV) and Aurélien Souici (AS) to get the low down on bringing Shanghai’s burgeoning cuisine scene all under one roof.

Why did you decide to launch the cuisine festival here?

AV: In most Western countries there are giant food festivals where visitors can taste the very best from different restaurants. Here, in China, there is no such large scale event where foodies can taste dishes from numerous restaurants or brands and enjoy entertainment for the whole weekend.

Tell us what we’ll find at the Cuisine Festival.

AS: There will be 5-star hotels offering signature dishes, international chefs, chocolatiers, bakers and high-end grocers, Chinese restaurants, a cocktail party, cooking lessons and demonstrations, wine tasting sessions, and more. It will be like a giant food court plus a garden party.

What have been the biggest challenges to organizing the festival?

AS: Too many to enumerate! Rent a venue, find restaurants and all kinds of fine food and drinks vendors, design a giant marketing campaign, arrange the venue itself, find suppliers… it is endless. In a nutshell, Adrien and I are super busy!

Anything else you still need to organize?

We are still looking to add some activities on site such as cooking class with kids, workshops with food. We are looking for companies or people who are interested to provide such demonstrations. We provide the space for free to people interested in entertaining our foodies. Contact us at thecuisinefestival@weacn.com.

Get your tickets on the Cuisine Festival website

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